Course duration
12 Months + 3 month EPA
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
In-school placement
4 days a week
Teacher Training
1 day a week
Personal Tutor visits & observation
Full-time (minimum of 30 hours a week)
What is the SEND Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship?
The SEND Teacher Apprenticeship is a school-based training programme designed for entrants to the teaching profession who aspire to be qualified teachers in special schools or specialist provision within mainstream schools.
Unlike other teacher training routes, there are no fees for the Teacher Apprenticeship. That’s right—nada, zero, zilch! All training costs are covered by the Apprenticeship Levy.
During your training, you will be employed by a school and receive a salary on the Unqualified Teacher Pay scale (UNQ1) of £20,598 to £21,933 (depending on location).
Successful completion of this programme will award Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship Qualification, which will qualify you to teach in all schools in England.
- Learn in the classroom from Day 1
- Become a qualified teacher in just 12 months + End Point Assessment
- Earn a yearly salary of at least £21,731 while you learn
- Training costs are covered by the Apprenticeship Levy
- School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) (Learn more)
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Once qualified, start on a salary of £31-£43k (dependent on location)
100% of our 2023/24 graduates have secured teaching roles
About SEND teacher training for schools
Recent findings from the National Foundation for Educational Research(NFER) reveal that only 19% of SEND teachers entering the profession come directly from Initial Teacher Training (ITT) - far fewer than in mainstream primary or secondary settings. This leaves many schools facing a critical shortage of qualified SEND teachers.
At Best Practice Network, we're committed to changing this figure, and we believe that the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship is the answer. Developed in partnership with The Gallery Trust, our programme offers flexible, hands-on training, equipping the next generation of SEND teachers with the skills and experience they need to thrive in the classroom.
- We are the only provider of the standalone SEND Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship. Our training is built-in, not bolt-on.
- Written, designed and delivered by our SEND experts
- Upskill your degree-holding support staff to Qualified Teacher Status in just 12 months
- All training costs are covered by your school's Apprenticeship Levy.
Who should apply for the SEND Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship?
The Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship is an ideal training pathway for individuals who hold a degree in any subject and are looking to become a qualified teacher.
This programme is perfect for:
- Support staff and teaching assistants looking to progress into teaching
- Unqualified teachers looking to gain Qualified Teacher Status
- Graduates or career changers looking for their first teaching role
If you're not already working in a school, you'll need to secure a school-based placement before starting your apprenticeship. If you need support, our expert team is here to help you find the perfect school placement before your training begins.
To apply for this programme, you must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any subject with a minimum 2:2 classification*
- Have achieved at least grade 4 (C) in GCSE English and mathematics (or equivalent)
- If applying for Primary specialism, have also achieved grade 4 (C) in a science subject
- Must have held residency in the UK for the last three years*
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How will I train to become a SEND teacher?
Our training mirrors the features and benefits of our Primary ITT programme. If you choose the SEND pathway, you'll start with a special school placement from September to December. In January, you’ll complete a 6-week placement in a contrasting mainstream primary school aligned to your pathway. Afterward, you'll return to your host school for the remainder of the programme.
Throughout, you'll be supported by expert SEND tutors to develop your skills in working with students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Your training will include online curriculum webinars, Core Training Days and guided study with professionals in schools.
Student teachers are assessed both formatively and summatively, with final evaluations based on the Teacher Standards in the summer term.
- Induction: you will have your first day of learning and ITT Induction before the start of your training to help you prepare for the programme
- Term 1: you will be in your host school this term. Training in school four days a week and attending online or in-person training one day a week
- Term 2: you will spend 6 weeks in a contrasting mainstream school placement. This placement will be organised by our placement co-ordinators
- Term 3: you will return to your host school to prepare for the recommendation of QTS
- Term 4: End Point Assessment for Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship Qualification
Why Become a Special Educational Needs Teacher?
SEND teachers play a vital role in supporting students with special educational needs during their most formative years. Here’s why choosing to be a SEN teacher is an incredibly rewarding career choice:
- Inspire a lifelong love of learning: Spark curiosity and creativity in your pupils, making learning fun and rewarding. Through storytelling, hands-on activities, and engaging lessons, you'll inspire the next generation.
- Shape well-rounded individuals: Teaching goes beyond academics. You'll nurture social, emotional, and physical growth, empowering children to become confident, resilient, and well-rounded individuals.
- Celebrate growth every day: There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the progress children make. From their first “a-ha” moments to newfound confidence, you’ll be at the heart of their journey, celebrating every milestone.
How do teachers make a difference to young people's lives?
Why choose Best Practice Network for your teacher training?
- Ofsted Outstanding: provider of the DfE’s full teacher progression pathway, supporting student teachers from entry into teaching through to executive leadership.
- 20+ Years Experience: Delivering teacher training and professional qualifications for teachers, school leaders, support staff and early years professionals.
- Subject & Phase Specific Groups: As a leading national provider our enrolment enables student teachers to train alongside peers specific to their phase, subject and specialism.
- Local Placement: Our network of 500+ schools provides our student teachers local access to in-school placements.
- Supporting Wellbeing: Our pathway is QTS-only helping support student teacher capacity and wellbeing on their journey into teaching.
- Award-Winning: Best Practice Network has been named Education Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year for the past two years.
- 100% of our 2023/24 graduate teachers have secured employment for September
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Apply to be a SEND Teacher
What qualifications do I need to train to be a SEND teacher?
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To be eligible for this programme, applicants MUST hold:
- A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a 2:2 or above
- GCSE grade 4/C* or above in English and maths and science (or recognised equivalent*)
- While school experience is not mandatory, we highly recommend it as a valuable way to confirm your interest in a teaching career
You can read more about eligibility on the Get Into Teaching websiteIf you hold Level 2 Functional Skills, Key Skills or another maths or English qualification, you will need still need to complete GCSE Equivalency testing to meet the ITT entry requirements.
*GCSE equivalent does not include Functional or Key Skills for the purpose of meeting the ITT requirements. Please contact our team for further support.
The Application Process
What Happens After You Apply?
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Application review
Once you’ve chosen the age phase you’d like to teach and submitted your application, our team will conduct an initial review.
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Online interview
We’ll contact you to arrange an online interview. You'll be asked to complete some pre-interview maths and English task as well as a presentation.
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Conditional offer
If your interview is successful, you’ll receive a conditional offer to join the programme.
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School placement support
Don’t have a school to support your training yet? No problem! Our dedicated placements team will work with you to secure a placement school, ensuring you’re ready to begin your teaching journey.
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Enrolment and onboarding process begins
Apply Here
Funded through the Apprenticeship Levy, the Teacher Apprenticeship will allow you to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship Qualification in 12 months + End Point Assessment.
During your apprenticeship, you will be employed by a school and receive a salary of at least £21,933 per year on the Unqualified Teacher Pay Scale (UNQ1).
Choose from one of two curriculum stages – both are full time.
| Specialism | Curriculum Stage | Application Portal |
| SEND | 3-7 | Apply here → |
| SEND | 5-11 | Apply here → |